18 Day Kaleidoscope of South Africa

18 days
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Group Tour
2 Johannesburg, 3 Hazyview, 1 eSwatini, 2 Hluhluwe, 1 Port Elizabeth, 2 Knysna, 1 Oudtshoorn, 4 Cape Town
From$4,389
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Visit Nelson Mandela's former home and the stirring Apartheid Museum Thrilling game drives with experienced rangers in Kruger National Park, home of the “Big Five” Game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for its conservation efforts Visit a Zulu village to observe the local culture and traditional dancing Cruise to the tidal St. Lucia Estuary, home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, and sharks Journey along the picturesque Garden Route to Knysna, a paradise for nature lovers Visit Featherbed Nature Reserve, a Natural Heritage Site, home of the endangered Blue Duiker In Oudtshoorn, visit a working Ostrich Farm to learn more about the world's biggest bird Home hosted dinner in Cape Town with South African wine and delightful conversation †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

What's this trip about?

    2 Johannesburg, 3 Hazyview, 1 eSwatini, 2 Hluhluwe, 1 Port Elizabeth, 2 Knysna, 1 Oudtshoorn, 4 Cape Town

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Africa

Attractions

  • Cape Town
  • Garden Route
  • Johannesburg
  • Knysna
  • Kruger National Park
  • Oudtshoorn
  • Robben Island
  • Soweto
  • Table Mountain

Trip includes

    • Flights New York-Johannesburg, Cape Town-New York Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges Intra-flight Durban-Port Elizabeth 16 nights accommodations
    • 2 nights Johannesburg 3 nights Hazyview 1 night Mbabahe (eSwatini) 2 nights Hluhluwe 1 night Port Elizabeth 2 nights Knysna 1 night Oudtshoorn 4 nights Cape Town Hotel taxes, fees & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates† 30 meals: 16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 11 dinners Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach Game drives in modern 10-seater safari vehicles Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout Entrance fees per itinerary

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Itinerary

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for South Africa
Depart for South Africa

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa. Born a gold mining town, it's often called "Gauteng - the City of Gold." Transfer to your hotel; time to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone Overnight: Johannesburg

DAY 3, Sunday - Soweto Tour
After an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager, explore Soweto. Visit Nelson Mandela's former home, with its expansive multimedia exhibits outlining his life. Then, to the Hector Pieterson Memorial. Lunch in Soweto at a popular restaurant, before a visit to the Apar...
DAY 4, Monday - Panorama Route to Kruger National Park Area
Depart after breakfast and travel to Mpumalanga Province, known as "Paradise Country," driving the spectacular "Panorama Route." Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, a series of waterfalls and distinctive rock formations created by countless millennia. From afar spot the famous...
DAY 5, Tuesday - Full Day Game Drive in Kruger National Park
Rise early for an open vehicle game drive with an experienced ranger in Kruger National Park. Perhaps you'll have a chance to see lion, elephant, giraffe, or zebra in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out for the many other smaller creatures that also live in this reser...
DAY 6, Wednesday - Morning at Leisure, Sunset Safari & Boma Dinner in Kruger National Park
Spend your morning at leisure. Later, an afternoon game drive in the world-famous Kruger National Park, which is home to the "Big Five," a multitude of animals, and an array of bird life. Experience an African sunset before your Boma dinner in the bush. Dine under the African sky and savor a sumptuous meal. Return to the hotel later this evening Overnight: Hazyview Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Thursday - Zulu Village & eSwatini*
Begin the day with a visit to Zulu village where you will have an opportunity to observe their dancing, local culture and experience a traditional lunch. Then, drive to eSwatini, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, fin...
DAY 8, Friday - St. Lucia Estuary Cruise
Travel to Hluhluwe, a small town in northern KwaZulu-Natal on the banks of the Hluhluwe River. Continue to the southernmost point of Lake St. Lucia to embark on a cruise to the tidal St. Lucia Estuary, home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, sea turtles, and even sharks -- a uniquely diverse ecosystem Overnight: Hluhluwe Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Saturday - Game Drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi & Zulu Village
This morning travel to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s, the park became world-renowned for its white rhino conservation. On this morning's game drive, you may have a chance to see Africa's 'Big Five' (lion, elephant, leopard, b...
DAY 10, Sunday - Flight to Port Elizabeth
In Durban board a flight to Port Elizabeth, known as the "Friendly City." A scenic orientation tour introduces you to this lovely city with its balmy climate and sandy white beaches. In the evening, perhaps a trip to the Boardwalk Entertainment Complex known for its eateries and action filled casino Overnight: Port Elizabeth Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Monday - Garden Route to Knysna
Today, journey along South Africa's Garden Route via Tsitsikamma National Park in the Western Cape Province to Knysna. The park is one of South Africa's most diverse protected natural areas. One of the many highlights in this area is the long suspension bridge offering g...
DAY 12, Tuesday - Featherbed Nature Reserve
Today, take the ferry to Knysna's Featherbed Nature Reserve with its abundance of plant, bird and small wildlife, including the rare Blue duiker, and a variety of marine life. Upon arrival, embark on a hike along a trail that winds its way through Milkwood Forests up to ...
DAY 13, Wednesday - Cango Caves & Oudtshoorn's Ostrich Farms
This morning, drive along the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo (Little Karoo). Tour the Cango Caves, a series of dripstone caverns that open into large areas of towering stalagmite formations. Continue to Oudtshoorn, the "Ostrich Capital of the World," and...
DAY 14, Thursday - Scenic Drive to Cape Town, Wine Tasting
Today, travel from the Garden Route to Cape Town via Route 62. Visit a vineyard and have the opportunity to taste South African wines. In the late afternoon, arrive in Cape Town where you will be welcomed by the towering symbol of the city - Table Mountain Overnight: Cape Town Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15, Friday - Cape Town City Tour
The discovery of Cape Town begins with a drive past the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, and the Grand Parade. View St. George's Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. The route then...
DAY 16, Saturday - Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
Depart on a full day tour of Cape Peninsula. Drive to Cape Point and stop at Hout Bay. The scenic drive then meanders along the coast to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,000 acres of indigenous flora and fauna. Ascend by funicular to the old light...
DAY 17, Sunday - Full Day in Cape Town
Spend the day at leisure, or join the optional tour of historic Robben Island* to learn about the poignant struggles, hopes, and dreams of freedom, made famous by Nelson Mandela's imprisonment here. This notorious prison, located on an island off the coast of Cape Town i...
DAY 18, Monday - Depart South Africa
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,389
Price per day$244
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

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Headquarters: Fort Washington, PA (Suburban Philadelphia)

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Gate 1 Travel's active membership in USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association), a professional organization representing the world's leading tour operators, requires that Gate 1 meet a minimum requirement of $1 million professional liability insurance (Gate 1 maintains a $5 million policy).

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included:Optional tours and gratuities.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Optional Activities
Cape Malay Cooking Experience Travel to the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, with its brightly colored houses, cobbled streets and several historic sites. Here, meet a local skilled in Cape Malay cuisine and learn how to cook dishes such as samosas or Cape Malay curry. After the class, savor a delicious home-made lunch while you gain fascinating insight into the Cape Malay culture. Approximate tour duration is 3 hours. OnDay : 15 Price : $48 Half Day South African Wine Tour This afternoon, wind through South Africa's fertile valleys, prized for their renowned vintages, and discover the rustic beauty of sprawling estates shaded by giant oaks and rows of vines running as far as the eye can see. Enjoy a wine tasting in Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest town and the historic heart of the country's wine region. First recognized as an ideal location for vineyards in 1679, viticulture has been entwined with the town's history ever since. A second wine tasting will be included (time permitting) before returning to Cape Town. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours. OnDay : 17 Price : $32 Robben Island Tour Depart from the hotel and travel to the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, where you will board the ferry to Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, disembark and take a bus tour to the historically significant sites of the island. Visit one of the most famous prisons in the world, where Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s father of the nation, spent 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars. The guides conducting the tour are former political prisoners that share their knowledge of this island and speak openly about their experiences, thus adding a unique cultural layer to your visit. The tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell. Afterward, take the ferry back to Cape Town. Approximate tour duration is 3.5 hours. Please Note: All visitors to Robben Island are required to produce a form of identification, such as a passport, birth certificate or driver's license. Copies of these documents will be accepted. OnDay : 17 Price : $98
Additional Information
Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flight Durban – Port Elizabeth.
Trip ID
gate1-ZA-SZ-18DKALZA-PKG-23

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